What Is the Ruling on Relying on AI for Religious Answers? – Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Answered by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Question

Can one rely on AI for religious answers?

Answer

Absolutely not. Allah Most High warns us against accepting information from untrustworthy sources. In the Quran, He says:

“O believers, if an evildoer brings you any news, verify it…” [Quran, 49:6]

The Importance of Verification

The preservation of our religion is based on verification and transmission through upright, trustworthy individuals.

The Quran was not simply written down and left unchecked. It was preserved through generations of reliable scholars known for their integrity and precision in knowledge.

When receiving religious guidance, two things must be verified: the uprightness of the source and the accuracy of the knowledge being conveyed.

The transmitter must be known for their piety, and they must be trained and reliable in their understanding of sacred knowledge.

The Unreliability of AI in Religious Matters From experience

AI tools are not reliable for religious answers.

They often generate incorrect information, fabricate citations, and provide misleading conclusions. AI lacks sincerity, wisdom, and accountability—qualities essential when conveying religious guidance.

Allah commands: “Ask the people of remembrance if you do not know.” [Quran, 16:43]

AI-generated answers do not fulfill this divine command. For religious guidance, we must consult qualified scholars who are trained in the traditional Islamic sciences.

AI may serve as a tool for organizing information, but it cannot replace the role of a living, learned teacher.

Resources

Shaykh Faraz Rabbani on Seeking Beneficial Knowledge- https://seekersguidance.org/answers/g…
How Can I Discern Sources of Authentic Knowledge While I Strive to Learn?- https://seekersguidance.org/answers/g…

[Shaykh] Faraz Rabbani